Ten

Link

D arren and May arrived to take Andy to their house. He'd be getting dressed there while I'd go to Erik's to do any last-minute tasks that needed to be done before I cleaned up and dressed there.

"I can just go out with you," Andy had protested, but in the end, he went with his parents after making me swear I wouldn't keep him waiting much longer.

I checked my phone for messages and seeing at least one from everyone who was involved with the wedding, I took a few minutes to answer them. Most were just checking they were doing everything the way I wanted it done, and a few were just well wishes. I was about to walk out the door when Stu knocked.

"Hey, Stu, I was just leaving."

"Oh good, Blair sent me here to make sure you got your ass going and weren't late." Stu slumped against the doorway as he spoke.

"I'm on my way. Are you going back out there now?"

"No, everything is done, they're just waiting for the caterers to arrive and start setting up the barbecue. I'm going to go home and get ready before Morgan and me drive out together."

"Sounds good." I adjusted the bag the tux was in on my shoulder, and after a little more small talk, we both drove off in opposite directions. The day had turned out to be beautiful, and I was glad it hadn't taken a turn and been cold or even worse, raining. As I drove past the dead barren fields just outside of town, I wished the sunflowers Stu had planted in his field were still in bloom. Not that it mattered, there would be plenty of flowers in the barn.

The gravel crunched under my tires as I turned off the main road onto the gravel road that led right to Erik and Sam's house. The sound reminded me of all the times we'd ridden our bikes out here to fish and any other mischief we could find to get into. Now we were getting married, and all my dreams would be a reality.

The area around the barn and house looked so different than they had when I'd left yesterday. The dance floor had been assembled off to the side of the barn and was decorated with streamers hung from a shade canopy that covered it. The barn doors were opened wide with flowers and ribbons draped on them. Erik's flowers were even blooming, well at least the ones that were still surviving until the next rain. Ribbons, and jars filled with candles, were hanging in the trees and I knew once night fell, they'd give it an even more magical feeling. It was so beautiful, and I wished Andy was here next to me to see it.

"Link, get your ass in the house and get dressed," Erik yelled from the front of his house. "There's nothing else to be done and people will start arriving soon." He walked over to me, and I was shocked to see he was wearing a suit.

"What?" he asked and brushed his chest. "Is there something on me?"

"I don't think I've seen you in a suit since graduation." I knew for a fact I hadn't. Erik was fond of jeans and T-shirts, or when he dressed to go out, he wore a western shirt, but I was surprised to see him in a suit.

"You haven't, but I know this is an important event, and I wanted to make a big effort. Plus, it doesn't hurt that Sam thinks I'm hot." He smirked at me and tipped his head in the direction of the house.

"You could have worn a tux when you two got married you know," I said making him laugh.

"He loves the cowboy in me too much for that. I wanted him to marry the real me, boots and all." The look on Erik's face told me so much about how much Sam meant to him, and I was once again happy for my friend. "Anyway, Sam will kill me if I make you late. Go get dressed. I'm ready for anyone who arrives."

I checked the time and was shocked to see it was a little after one, and I knew our friends would be here early to make sure everything was ready and to see Andy arrive. I had to admit I was excited for that part myself. Even if I couldn't give him a surprise wedding, I knew he'd be amazed at how the farm had been transformed.

Erik led me to the spare bedroom in their small but cozy house and without another word I stripped down and started putting the tuxedo on. I tried not to imagine how amazing Andy would look as I pulled up the pants and tried to remember the directions Dave had given me for the waistcoat and tie. Both of our suits were the same, but each had different embellishments that made them look slightly different. The black and silver waistcoats were the same pattern as the pocket square in Andy's tux, and both our ties were the same fabric but his was long and narrow while mine was a bowtie. Once I had everything on, I took a moment to look in the long mirror on the back of the door to make sure I'd put it all together right.

I'd just adjusted my tie when Erik knocked before opening the door enough to stick his head in. "Hey, I just wanted you to know the group is all here and we're just waiting for your other guests to arrive. We're here for you and Andy."

I knew what he meant without him explaining. Our group of friends were here, and we'd do what we always did, we'd stick together. "Thanks, Erik, I'm ready." I walked out past him to find everyone in the small living room. They were all dressed up in their Sunday best, and while not looking completely comfortable, they'd all made the effort. "Guys, thanks so much for everything. I know Andy is going to be so happy to see all we've done."

"I hope he doesn't mind if I ditch this tie later," Curt grumbled while pulling on said tie.

"You'll survive," Toni said, and looped her arm through his. "Come on. Let's go give it a double-check." We followed along outside, and Toni led us to the bar and explained how it would be run.

"We've added some strings of lights in the barn so when it's dark people can come inside to relax or to eat," Blair said and pointed out the lights that had been added after I left yesterday. Actually, the closer I looked the more I noticed.

"You guys did a lot more after I left."

"It's not every day two of your best friends get married," Blair said, and Jase pulled her close. "Molly will be here soon." Molly had been part of our group but had left Occident a few years ago for a job and hadn't looked back.

"So, I guess there's going to be a few more people than I was expecting."

"Just a few. Don't worry, Link, we took care of it," Jase said.

I looked at my friends then, dressed way differently than they normally did, all of them smiling at me like it was their wedding not mine and Andy's. They were as much a part of our lives as was possible, and I was so happy they were here to share this day with us. "Thanks, guys. None of this would have been possible without you."

"Or tequila," Curt said.

"Or tequila," I agreed making everyone laugh.